RAIDERS NOTEBOOK / Woodson agrees to one-year deal, ends holdout

Nancy Gay

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, August 26, 2004

Exclusive franchise-tag cornerback Charles Woodson agreed late Wednesday to sign his one-year, $8.782 million tender offer from the Raiders, ending his lengthy holdout and opening the door to the long-term contract the four-time Pro Bowler has sought all along.

Woodson said, through an e-mail to The Chronicle, that he will report next week.

After missing two minicamps and 27 days of training camp that have seen the installation of an entirely new defense, Woodson's speedy return was imperative, coach Norv Turner said, if Woodson expected to be ready for the Sept. 12 opener at Pittsburgh.

"As soon as he can get here," Turner said Wednesday afternoon, when asked how quickly Woodson needs to return.

The Raiders wrapped up the Napa portion of their training camp Wednesday, and though coaches and teammates have expressed a desire to see one of the NFL's best cornerbacks return to the fold, no one has sounded any alarm bells because of Woodson's extended absence.

Woodson had told teammates this week that he intended to arrive on Sunday.

Although Woodson reportedly has stayed in shape with twice-daily workouts with a trainer in Houston, Turner said it's impossible to know how quickly Woodson will fit into the new-look 3-4 scheme until he gets on the field.

"We'd have to see where he's at," Turner said.

Until Woodson actually signs the one-year tender, he cannot receive a copy of the new playbook. "No. The playbook is issued to the players (who) are here," senior personnel executive Michael Lombardi clarified.

Moving Gallery: Top pick Robert Gallery, sporting a thick elastic wrap on his hyperextended right elbow, continued work at left guard Wednesday, and it's likely he will see plenty of snaps at that new position in Saturday's game.

On Tuesday, Turner said Barry Sims -- a 16-game starter at left tackle -- was playing well enough to stay put. The Raiders hope to see Gallery in about 25 to 30 snaps Saturday night, at both guard and tackle.

"We'll get him in the game and get him some reps at both (positions)," said Turner, adding that Gallery will not start at guard.